Reusable components: These include elements like buttons, input fields, navigation bars, cards, etc. These components are designed once and reused in different parts of the user interface.

Style Guide: Establish design rules and principles that guide the creation of the interface. This may include considerations for typography, colors, spacing, icons, visual hierarchy, etc. The Style Guide not only serves as a reference tool for designers but also ensures a unified and consistent user experience for end users, regardless of who designs or develops each part of the system.

Grid system: Defines how elements are structured and organized in the user interface to achieve a visually attractive and functional layout.

Documentation: Provides detailed information on how to use and apply the different elements of the design system, including visual examples and implementation guidelines.

Design library: A centralized repository where all design elements are stored, such as design files (Figma files in our case), code files (e.g. React or Angular components), and other related resources.

Understanding Brand Identity

Before starting with the creation of the design system, it is crucial to understand the brand identity. What are the company's values, mission, and vision? This in-depth understanding will guide all design decisions, from the color palette to the typography used.

User Research

User research is the cornerstone of user-centered design. Understanding user needs, expectations, and behaviors allows you to create solutions that are not only visually appealing but also functional.

Atomic design method

The atomic design method is about breaking down design elements into simple, reusable components, called atoms. In the context of a design system, this approach involves breaking down the user interface into its fundamental parts, such as buttons, input fields, and cards, among others, and designing them independently and consistently. Each atom is precisely defined and carefully documented to facilitate its use in different contexts and projects. As you can see in the following image, by combining these atoms in a modular fashion, more complex molecules, such as forms or navigation bars, are built and finally assembled into complete organisms, such as web pages or applications, maintaining visual coherence and consistency throughout the system. This approach encourages design efficiency, promotes consistency, and facilitates system scalability over time.

Color Palette and Typography

Selecting a color palette and typography that reflects the brand identity is essential. Therefore, applying the first point, we determined a color palette that reaffirms the visual identity of Tuix. Establishing clear rules about the use of colors and fonts ensures consistency and facilitates the scalability of the design as the company grows. It is important to know how to turn those appearance rules into usable interactive elements. Things that work in a brochure don't always work in an application or website. In a design system, how things work is even more important than how they look.

As part of our design system, we have developed a versatile color palette that encompasses both a light and dark version (see the image above), offering flexibility and adaptability to a wide range of applications and design preferences. The light version features bright and luminous tones within the color range of the Tuix logo to contribute to the corporate identity, this palette is ideal for interfaces that seek to convey clarity and simplicity. On the other hand, the dark version offers a modern and elegant aesthetic, with deep colors and well-defined contrasts that ensure excellent legibility and an immersive experience in low-light environments. Both palettes are designed to complement each other and to integrate seamlessly into any project, providing consistency and visual coherence across all applications and platforms.

Typography plays a fundamental role in any design system, as it not only communicates textual information but also establishes the voice and personality of a brand. In a well-conceived design system, typography selection is done with care, considering factors such as legibility, consistency with brand identity, and adaptability to different contexts and devices. The right typography can help guide visual hierarchy and improve the overall user experience. In addition, standardizing the use of typefaces within the system promotes visual consistency and makes it easier to implement and maintain consistent designs across all digital products. In summary, typography is not only an aesthetic component but also a powerful tool for strengthening brand identity and improving visual communication in a design system.

Design Library

Creating a centralized Design Library or Style Guide facilitates collaboration and management of visual elements. Tools such as Figma or Sketch enable the efficient creation of components, icons, and styles, ensuring that all team members are aligned with the design system.

The difference between a Design System and a Style Guide is the interconnectedness of the first one, meaning that when a designer updates what a specific button looks like, the developers need to update also the component implementation to match the new design.

Iteration and continuous improvement

A design system is not static; it must evolve. User feedback and analysis of performance metrics fuel constant iteration, improving usability and keeping the Design System fresh and optimized.